FMFA Manager

Brentford U23 1 - 4 Aston Villa U23

P_Zito (17) E_Nketiah (21)
V_George (39)
R_Lewis (74)
L_Benjamin (91 og)

i knew i would lose this game as i had load of issues fitness etc plus i dont have the best team hopefully we can bounce back in the next game

Wolverhampton Wanderers U23 1-0 Newcastle United U23
A more comprehensive win than the scoreline suggests as we returned to winning ways after back to back losses. Ryan Trevitt scored the games only goal after 61 minutes to take all three points. We then had Fabio Silva sent off a few minutes later which meant we had to shut up shop and make sure we held the points

It's a result that keeps us third and firmly inside the top 4 with a 6 point gap to 5th placed Derby. I didn't hold out much hope for this U23 side before the season but we have exceeded expectations and have had a very satisfactory season to date. We won't win the league put holding on for a top four finish would be a very nice outcome in a competitive division

Brentford U23 1-4 Aston Villa U23

With fitness low after extra time in the cup we had to rotate the squad. We also had a timing issue with transfers which left us a player short so not a good start with this one.

On that front we were about to lose some players to rating up so we scoured the market and cashed in on Tom Costello whilst we also moved on Emre Can. Both players have been brilliant for us this season and we than them for their efforts.

In return we have brought in Jared Branthwaite and Eddie Nketiah from Leeds. Both are quality players but a little further off rating up so can stay in the squad for the season. Harry Souttar is going to use two of our three overrated slots for now hoping he can make it to a 21r but before the end of the season, Rico Lewis, Karamoko Dembele and Rory Wilson are all likely to increase. At that point Souttar will go to the seniors and that will be the three overrated. Hopeully that will be it for the season and we won't need to worry about it again.

Anyway, with that said we were worried about this game and even more so when Zito scored against us - AGAIN! we sold him to Brentford back in season 19 and he has repeatedly come back to haunt us. Fortunately Nketiah grabbed a debut goal to equalise 4 minutes later and then George and Leewis put us in control. Their own goal in injury time put the gloss on the result.

We have now scored four or more goals in five successive league games and three or more in six games in all competitions. These must be records. However, it is disappointing we have only kept one clean sheet in that period - we must improve that side.

We're four clear at the top at the halfway stage of the league having played seven away from home. That is a great position from which to try and reclaim the league title. Nothing is taken for granted but with the squad likely settled for the season and a new recruit arriving on Sunday we're confident we can go all the way this time around.